This year for our Valentines Day blog we were inspired for Valentine Day gift recommendations from NY NOW, the wholesale market from Bullentin, a wholesale market that focuses on discovering up and coming brands with extraordinary products. The brands are small, local, independent and teeming with unique creators.

We picked ten products in different categories for men, women, children and your favorite pet in all price ranges. We hope you will be inspired by these up and coming brands that we are sure will provide Valentines Day gifts that are distinctive, quirky and lovely. Please click onto the images to be directed to the product online store.

COCO CHOCOLATIER

Chocolates are always the way to your love’s ones heart on Valentines Day. Make your gift more original with chocolate from chocolatier Coco. Coco is based in Edinburgh however they begin the making of their chocolate at origin before passionately transforming it in Edinburgh, Scotland. As a result, more wealth remains within developing economies. This beautiful heart shaped box of chocolate features modern artwork on the box by artist Stephen König. The chocolate from Colombia inside is described as “Indulgent truffles filled with an orange delicate filling and covered in fine single origin milk and white chocolate. A decadent treat, perfect for special occasions.”

GOLD+WATER CO.

GOLD+WATER CO. is a bath and body and home brand founded in 2019 in Philadelphia, PA by Chartel. The brand produce handcrafted soap, bath items, and home decor in small batches. They also support local anti-abuse organizations and those addressing mental health and hygiene needs in their community. GOLD+WATER CO. offers a 5 SOAP BUNDLE + SAVE. in their various 15 scents. Some of our favorites are ARDENT, SMOULDER, BARE and BARE.

MOSHIQA

Many of us want to show all the people we love in our lives how much they mean to us on Valentines Day, however sometimes its the animals in our lives that give us the most love and support so for our pets we have these beautiful cat and dog Mosh Mosh bowls by Moshiqa. Moshiqa is a high-end lifestyle brand for pets and pet lovers; offering a unique selection of luxurious fashion wear, leather goods and accessories, established in Los Angeles by self-made woman entrepreneur Meryem Birsoz and her heroine life partner Moshi, the Shih Tzu, in 2017. The Mosh Mosh Bowls are best for both food & water. They are hand-crafted from the finest ceramics featuring gold accent patterns of kitties & puppies. Your fur babies will feel the love and food will taste better as well as make your home look quite lovely.

NO SIGN

A thoughtful gift that can be unisex is this stunning red wallet (they will always think of you when they pull it out) by NO SIGN. The brand is a leather goods brand that uses natural leather from Wagyu beef from Miyazaki Prefecture. Using rare and valuable leather materials, the product is handmade by skilled Japanese craftsmen. From the raw material to the tanning process, the entire manufacturing process is produced in Japan. It is a brand that is particular about ALL MADE IN JAPAN. Based on free ideas based on the theme of "people"NO SIGN will blend into everyday life, proposing genderless leather goods that will make you feel at ease and attached to it every time you touch the leather. The wallet is described as, “A zip card case made of Miyazaki leather with a simple design. A slim card case that eliminates waste and is perfect for the cashless era. The zipper pocket has two partitions, allowing you to organize folded bills and coins. The outside pocket of the case can hold 4 cards, and the other side has a receipt storage space. The practical design stores only what you need, making it perfect for a minimalist lifestyle. The dimensions are 8cm / 14.5cm / 1cm.

GROUNDED CERAMICS

Jewelry is always a beautiful and traditional way to show someone you love them on Valentines Day. That said, it doesn’t mean the jewelry needs to be traditional. We love these heart shape ceramic earrings by Grounded Ceramics as a gift. Grounded Ceramics has potters who thoughtfully create delicate porcelain jewelry and functional ceramics in her Oak Park, Illinois studio. She carefully crafts small batches of unique, one of a kind pieces using porcelain or stoneware clay. The earrings, “love is complicated splattered heart stud earrings” are splattered olive and peach underglaze on porcelain hearts. clear glossy glaze with a surgical steel, hypoallergenic post.

EMMOTIV

Perfume is always a thoughtful Valentines Day gift as scent evokes memory and how lovely to remember the ones we love. The scent brand EMMOTIV has a scent perfect for Valentines Day called “Love Euphoric” which is a captivating cocktail of aphrodisiac florals – ylang-ylang, jasmine and rose absolutes – infused with lush notes of coconut, cashmeran and white amber. EMMOTIV is developed by some of the world's most talented luxury perfumers. Their fragrances fuse the mood-enhancing benefits discovered through aromachology and aromatherapy with the sophisticated and artfully layered composition of perfume. The result is an intimately delightful olfactive experience that proves the power of fragrance comes to life when we wear it for ourselves, not others. It is a brand that should be on your radar.

WATER BRUJA

An affordable gift for Valentines Day is a romantic candle. This candle recommendation however is more for you for self-love as the candle is created by Water Bruja (bruja is witch in Spanish) Water Bruja, founded by Melody. Water Bruja is a New York brand offering reiki-infused, vegan-friendly aromatherapy products for bath, body, and beauty. The brand focuses on relaxation, stress relief, and positive intention setting. Each product is thoughtfully crafted with gifting in mind, ideal for personal indulgence or thoughtful gifts. Water Bruja stands out for its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, blending physical wellness with spiritual enrichment. The brand's dedication to quality and care, particularly in its handcrafted soy candles, reflects its core values of holistic well-being and environmental responsibility. This eclectic candle is a stunningly beautiful love spell to attract someone to love in your life. Its called the “Come to Me” candle, its 8 oz, made from soy and smells like citrus and berries with a musk base. Remember self love is the most important love!

VOBELLE

It may seem like most of these recommendations are for women however this is certainly a gift for men (or any gender) that they will love and cherish. This hand knit red scarf in 100% merino wool, nice and cozy. It is light weight and non itchy so it won’t feel too bulky. Handmade in the USA. Dimensions: approx 7″ X 74″. The brand Vobelle is a small, female-owned and operated brand dedicated to creating exquisite knitted accessories. Every piece is designed and handmade in their studio in Killingly, CT, ensuring attention to detail and a personal touch. The merino wool is sourced from the USA not abroad to make the brand more sustainable.

BALIZEN HOME

An unorthodox gift for yourself and your home and family is this beautiful outdoor Balinese umbrella by BaliZen. Anyone can have an outdoor umbrella but no one in your neighborhood will have this beautiful umbrella with golden heart shaped ornaments, brass bells and traditional tassels in their signature prada print in indigo blue. A perfect Valentines Day gift to enjoy everyday. Balizen Home for over two decades has been at the forefront of both the Fair Trade and sustainability movement. They create a unique line of ethical products for your home, garden and wardrobe. Their designs are inspired by nature and the Zen traditions of craftsmanship, simplicity, harmony and the use of natural and eco-friendly materials. 

TEAM SUPER CREW

Last but certainly not least is a gift for the children in your life for Valentines Day and we love this book set from Team Super Crew that helps your child grow their emotional IQ. The Team Super Crew box set helps kids recognize big feelings and learn the tools to regulate their emotions in a positive way. Different from other books on the market, this series is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a social-emotional therapy that focuses on the ways that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. Our thoughts create our feelings! When we develop the tools to change our negative thoughts, we learn how to regulate our emotions in a positive way. Helping your child grow and connect in healthy ways to those around them is the best Valentines Day gift you can give them that will last the rest of their lives.

We hope you enjoyed the selections from NY Now. These are brands that are local and markets like NY Now help shine a spotlight on local brands that you may not know about to create greater audiences and help their businesses. Plus you and your loved ones benefit with unique and thoughtful gifts for Valentines Day.

By Natalie Rivera